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Monthly Archives: May 2013

It is the end of May and that means Strawberry Season is upon us! Sounds like a good reason to make a strawberry dessert!

Today for Buckeye Honda’s Foodie Friday we are making what some people would call a trifle and others would call a parfait, we don’t care what you call it, we prefer… Layered Awesomeness in A Big Bowl! We invite you to make one of these and let us know what you think of it, better yet take a picture and show us how yours looks. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

What You Need:

2 Quarts of Strawberries – If you really like strawberries get some more. Feel free to add in other berries such as blueberries or raspberries as well.

1 Loaf of Pound Cake, thawed – If you like to make your own that is great but Chef is a great cook but not a very good baker so we bought the kind you find in the freezer section of the grocery store.

Whipped Topping – We made our own (recipe included) but you could use the kind you find in the freezer section (ie. Cool Whip)

1 pkg of Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 pkg Cream Cheese, Softened

2 cups of 2% Milk

Sugar

Step 1: Cut the leafy top part of the strawberries and then slice them in half, for larger berries cut them into quarters. If you choose raspberries or blueberries just wash them off.

Step 2: Add some sugar to your strawberries. The amount that you use is up to you. For ours we used about 1/4 cup of sugar.

Step 3: If you are making your own whipped cream make it now! Go – Go Now and make it then come back.

Step 4: Mix the pudding and the milk. Mix it for about 2 minutes until it soft sets.

Step 5: Mix the cream cheese into the pudding mix.

Step 6: Fold about 1/2 cup of whipped topping into pudding mixture.

Step 7: Slice and cube the pound cake

Step 8: Put half of the pound cake in the bottom of the bowl, then add a layer of strawberries and then half of the pudding mixture. Now repeat the layer process but do not use all of the strawberries and keep out 1 or 2 cubes of pound cake.

Step 9: Put the remaining strawberries on top around the outside, and then put a mound of whipped topping in the center. Crumble the remaining cubes of pound cake on top of whipped topping center.

Step 10: Let the dessert chill for at least 20 -30 minutes, this will let the flavors meld a bit and bring the dessert back to a cool temperature.

Instructions for making homemade whipped cream.

Making your own whipped cream if great! It takes a little time and patience but the result is fantastic. You can try it on desserts or floated on-top of flavored coffees or hot chocolate. The difference is worth the effort.

You need:

2 cups Cold Heavy Cream or Heavy Whipping Cream. Either one of these will work.

2 tablespoon Sugar

2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract –Other extracts or flavorings (such as mint or chocolate) can be used as well.

Glass or Metal Bowl – If you do not have one it is OK but one of these is prefered.

Whisk or Hand Mixer

Step 1: Put the bowl, whisk, or metal beaters (if using a hand mixer) in the freezer for 30 minutes or more.

Step 3: As the cream starts to thicken add in sugar and vanilla. You can use less sugar if you like and sugar substitute also works.

Step 4: As the cream thickens, turn the speed up. As it gets foamier, start checking for a soft peak, which is what you want. The peak should bend over at the top when you remove the whisk. As it gets close, slow down, because if it goes too far, it will lose volume, then clump and separate (essentially become butter).

Step 5: Taste it! If you think it needs more sugar add some, if you want more vanilla add some and then mix it up some more.

Today on DIY Thursday at Buckeye Honda in Lancaster Ohio, we are going to make some really great Mason Jar Lights.

These lights are great on the patio, in the garden and they make terrific night lights in a bathroom. The best part about this lights, other than the cool jar, they are solar and can be done for under $5

What you need:

Mason Jars – I chose the Blue Heritage jars from Ball. Ball is putting out blue jars to commemorate their history of making this great canning jar for 100 years. The blue color really gives the jar some character and goes well with your Honda! The price of these jars are about $10 for 6 lights = less than $2 for each jar.

Solar Lights – These solar lights can be found in the garden and outdoor section of Walmart or Target. We chose to visit the Walmart located behind the store and picked up a solar light for under $1 yes under $1.

Tin Snips, or some way of cutting a hole in the lid of the jar.

Marker for drawing a circle around your light.

Clear Caulk or Rubber Cement (Optional)

Step 1: Remove the solar light part from the stem of the light. This is easy as they just twist off so you can get to the battery.

Step 2: Draw a circle on the lid of your mason jar using the solar light as the guide. We don’t want the circle to be too big but it needs to be big enough to squeeze the solar light into the lid.

Step 3: Use your cutting tool to cut out the circle. You may need to use a file to get rid of rough edges.

Step 4: Once you have the hole cut out slide the solar light through the hole. It might not fit exactly and you may need to go in and cut a little more off in one area or another. The key to this is patience, cut a little at a time. Once you get the light in through the hole it should stay there.

Step 5: You can use a little clear caulk or rubber cement around the solar light and the lid to seal it in there. Do this on the underside of the lid so it won’t be seen.

Step 6: Screw the lid and trim ring onto the jar and wipe off the jar.

Step 7: Sit back and enjoy your light that you have less than $5 invested in.

I would suggest making 3 of these and placing them together on the patio table, three makes for a nice look. You can also pair them with one of the floating candle mason jars that we made last week. Feel free to decorate your mason jar with ribbon or fill it with some sand or decorative rocks or ??? Tell us what you would put in one or better yet make one and send us a picture! We tried to take a couple pictures in the dark but they did not show up very well… the shadows look fantastic but our photographer couldn’t capture it… if you do send us a picture by email at jshy@buckeyecars.com or tweet us one on twitter @buckeyehonda.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s DIY Thursday! Come back tomorrow for Foodie Friday!

Welcome to Buckeye Honda’s Weekend Wednesday, where we highlight some of the great events happening locally from in your backyard to just a short drive to Columbus.

Take a moment and see if something strikes you as interesting. If you attend one of the events take a picture and tweet it to us @buckeyehonda, for that matter tweet us a photo of whatever you do this weekend – We would love to see it! Bring On The Fun!

Operation June 1 Sell Out!

Takes place this Saturday, June First as your Columbus Crew come home to defend your city against the The Houston Dynamo at Crew Stadium. The Crew are trying to sell out against this formidable foe. Bring the Kids and enjoy Post-match Autograph Alley where you can get autographs from the biggest Crew stars.

If Tailgating is on your mind you can come and enjoy the Budweiser Ultimate Tailgate 19th Hole Pre-Match Party starting at $36

Who doesn’t love a good tailgate?

Enjoy a special 90 minute pre-match Tex Mex themed buffet in the Crew Stadium Club that includes food, drinks, door prizes, music by Power 107.5 DJ Dommy Styles and more!

How about a Free Night at the Movies with Wreck-It Ralph?

This Saturday continues the Saturday Cinema in Downtown Lancaster with Wreck-It Ralph!

Saturday Cinema is held the first Saturday of every month starting in May and running through September. The movie screen is located at the Bandstand (corner of Main and Broad st) in Downtown Lancaster, Ohio (map). Movies begin at dusk and snack concessions will be available. Bring a blanket, chairs & snacks; There will be a special area reserved for those sitting on a blanket in the front! Free children’s activities one hour before the movie begins so come early and enjoy the great evening.

Lancaster Old Car Club Spring Festival… We Love Cars!

Established in 1957, The Lancaster Old Car Club is one of Ohio’s oldest car clubs. They will be holding their Spring Festival On June 1st and 2nd at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Come take a walk around and view some of the fine classic cars that will be on display. For more information check out the flyer here.

How about Shakespeare In The Park

King Arthur and the Sword of Britain

Launching the Schiller Park season is King Arthur and the Sword of Britain, a comedy by local playwright Philip J. Hickman and directed by C. Austin Hill.

Actors’ Theatre continues its outdoor theater events at Schiller Park in German Village with ‘King Arthur and the Sword of Britain’ by playwright Philip J. Hickman. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through June 23. Admission is free, with donations accepted.

Schiller Park
1069 Jaeger St., Columbus, OH 43206
Amphitheater

Don’t forget to tweet us a picture of what you are doing this weekend @buckeyehonda! We would love to see you! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

If you have an event or an idea that you would like to see highlighted on our Weekend Wednesday send Jeremy a message at jshy@buckeyecars.com.

For Technology Tuesday we are finishing up our series on how to use the Honda Bluetooth and HandsFree Link.

One of the best features of the Bluetooth system is the ability to be able to play music from your device through the vehicles speakers without the use of any wires or cables. You can play music from your audio library stored on your phone or use a streaming Internet-based music service like Pandora, Slacker, or Spotify.

For those not up to speed. Bluetooth is a feature that is available on most cell phones and all smart phones. This feature allows the device the ability to connect your phone to other digital devices such as your Honda. The first step in using the Bluetooth feature is to have it paired or “connected” to your vehicle. For more information about how to do this see our instructions w/video here.

Now that you have your device connected to your vehicle it’s time to “Crank Up The Tunes”

How to stream music to HondaLink via Bluetooth

First, make sure that your phone is connected to your vehicle via Bluetooth.

Tap the “Source” option on your HondaLink touchscreen.

Select the “Bluetooth” icon.

Now, open the music application on your iPhone or Android device.

Make sure that your phone is set to play through your vehicle’s HondaLink system.

Next, select a playlist or a song on your phone.

You should now hear the song you selected playing wirelessly through your vehicle’s audio system.

You can now control your music through your mobile device while it plays back through your vehicle.

A couple of things that need to be considered:

For your safety, remember to never operate any of these functions while the vehicle is in motion.

Using an Internet Streaming service does use data from your data plan with your cellular provider. Many people do not get close to using all of their data but you might want to keep an eye on your usage.

Using your mobile device in this way will use battery life so plan accordingly or use your vehicle to charge your device using a charging cable

If you have any questions or just cannot get it to work – come in and see us! We would love to show you how this works.

Matt is a resident of Lancaster Ohio and a graduate of Logan High School. Matt has been with Buckeye Honda for a just over a year and it looks like he will be here for many to come. “I enjoy being at Buckeye Honda, the people who I work with are great and the product and facility are top of the line.” Matt is also continuing his education as a student of Ohio University majoring in Business. He plans to use the knowledge that he gains from completing his degree and using them in the real world as he continues his sales profession at Buckeye Honda.

In Matt’s free time he likes to stay active. Matt enjoys staying in shape and you might see him running on the many streets in and around town. Matt was a cross-country runner in high school and continues to enjoy running. One of the things that you might not know about Matt is his love for playing the piano and making wood furniture. “It is a way for me to unwind and relax while still being creative” he goes on to say that “making something has its own set of rewards but the process of designing, laying out and then working with the wood is most rewarding.”

Matt has a cat named Lilith and an Iguana named Ammon-Ra. Matt explains that “Ammon-Ra was the Chieftain of the Egyptian Gods, god of the sun, sky and heaven” He goes on to say that “My iguana loves the sun, as do many, and this is how he got his name.”

From his bio found on the Buckeye Honda website you can find out more about Matt including his favorite toy as a child, favorite movie, song as well as how he likes his steak cooked. Check it out and get to know Matt Masso a little bit better.

Last week we started our multi-part series about tires and today we are going to give you 5 things that your tires are trying to tell you. Next week we are going to continue with 5 more things that your tires are trying to tell you so don’t miss it. In the meantime if you feel that it is time to talk to a professional about what tires might be right for your car, truck or SUV come in to Buckeye Honda and talk to the people that know your vehicle the best. We stock many of the best brands of tires, and have access to virtually every make, type and size tire that you might need.

Most people do not worry about or even notice their tires until they are ready to be replaced or once they have gone flat, take a moment and familiarize yourself with your tires. Check the tire pressure once a month – Did you know that most tires lose 1 psi each month under normal operating conditions? Fuel economy suffers when tire pressure drops and your tires will not perform at their best when they are under inflated. If you do not want to check the pressure bring it to Buckeye Honda and let us check it for you – For Free! We can do this without an appointment and if you need some air we will provide it free of charge .

Center Wear

It Looks Like: Your tire is worn down only in the middle.

The Diagnosis: This tire was over-inflated, causing the center ring only to contact the road. Consequently, whoever drove this car had only a fraction of the rubber contacting the asphalt, so his or her traction suffered.

To find the correct tire pressure, check the door placard or the owner’s manual. Check the pressure when the tires are cold, before you start driving. Some people claim that you should over-inflate tires to reduce rolling resistance and increase fuel economy. But that’s a fool’s game. You might save some fuel, but you’ll pay more in prematurely worn tires.

If your pressure is correct but you still see center wear, this could indicate that the wheel and tires are not properly matched. There is one caveat here: Woody Rogers, product information specialist at Tire Rack, says that some rear-wheel-drive vehicles can produce center wear on certain tires, even if they’re properly aired up and maintained. But that’s true only for high-powered sports cars.

Cracking and Bulging

It Looks Like: Pretty self-explanatory.

The Diagnosis: This usually comes from hitting a pothole, curb, or debris. Under-inflation and over-inflation put tires at a greater risk of damage from impacts.

Large cracks in the sidewall that runs along the rim are either impact-related or caused by chronic under-inflation. Numerous small cracks in the sidewall or tread blocks come from exposure to the elements and age.

Bulging is what looks like a pimple in the tire, most often in its sidewall. It happens when there’s an impact that causes internal damage, but the damage doesn’t show up until weeks or months later. With cracks or with bulging, you’re looking at buying a replacement. “[The tire] should be removed from service, regardless of the cost,” Rogers says. “Eventually, it will fail.”

Cupping

It Looks Like: A pattern of alternating hills and valleys

The Diagnosis: It happens when worn or damaged suspension components cause the tire to bounce as it travels, coming down harder on some spots of the tire than others. Bad shock absorbers are the usual cause, though anything that connects the wheel to the rest of the car could be a culprit. Improper alignment or lack of having the tires rotated can also be major contributors to tire cupping, keeping up with these two things will help in maintaining your tires and save you money in the long run.

Diagonal Swipe

It Looks Like: Cupping or scuffing, but in a diagonal pattern.

The Diagnosis: This tire trouble is most often seen on the rear tires of a front-wheel-drive car with an incorrect toe setting. Incorrect toe can be corrected with an alignment. All of our alignments come with a 1 year warranty! Insufficient tire rotation intervals as well as worn bushings, grommets or ball joints may also cause a diagonal swipe. Another possibility: If you often carry heavy loads in the trunk or cargo area of a vehicle, that may change the geometry of the suspension, leading to a diagonal swipe.

Outer-Edge Wear

It Looks Like: The inside and outside edges are worn down; the middle is not.

The Diagnosis: This is a tell-tale sign of under-inflation. Too little pressure is arguably the most dangerous condition for a tire, as it will flex more and the heat that builds up could cause a blowout. An under-inflated tire won’t absorb bumps well and may knock the front end out of alignment or damage the suspension.

How to Avoid Under-inflation: Again, keep an eye on your tire pressure by checking it monthly. Don’t rely on the car’s tire-pressure monitoring system to let you know when a tire is low on air. “[The warning system’s] threshold is typically 25 percent under-inflated,” Rogers says. This means a tire that should be at 28 psi could be down 22 psi before you see a warning light. And that could be low enough for you to destroy a tire.

Do not forget about next week when we finish up with 5 more things that your tires are trying to tell you. If you are not sure about something that is going on with your tires being them to Buckeye Honda and let us take a look at them.

With the upcoming Holiday Weekend we went to Chef and asked him what we should write about. We threw some of the basics at him – Grilled Hot Dogs, Brats, Hamburgers maybe kick it up with some fancy salad and this is what he said….”ZZZZZZZZZZ … Are you still talking?” While he agreed that Memorial Day for many kicks off the Summer Outdoor Grilling Season he felt our ideas were not fitting for such a great American Holiday. “Hot Dogs and Hamburgers are great for this holiday but I believe we need to take it to the next level, I’m thinking BACON AND BOURBON! How much more American can you get than that!?!” We tend to agree… Bring On The Food!

What you will need:

Pork Tenderloin – 1 pack comes with 2 tenderloin

2lbs Bacon – Thick Cut (1lb for each tenderloin)

1/2 cup Honey

3/4 cup Olive Oil

1/2 cup Bourbon – Chef says you can leave it out if you do not have any on hand or if you are not inclined to use the rest. He also reminded us that you do not have to buy the really expensive stuff. ($5 bottle behind the counter will work)

Salt & Pepper

Additional Spices – You can use a number of spices from Cayenne pepper to paprika or even garlic or a combination of both. We are using 2 Tbs fiery pepper blend that you can find in the spice isle made by McCormick.

Step 1: Make a Bacon Weave – This is a like a delicate blanket of awesome to wrap your tenderloin in. To make the weave use a clean surface and layout 1/4 (about 6 or 7 slices) of your bacon going one way and then lay the other 1/4 lb (6 or 7 slices) going the other way lacing them under and over) This takes a little figuring out but it is well worth the effort, here is a video for you to watch…

Step 2: Season the pork tenderloin with some salt and pepper, you can skip on the salt or put on very little as the bacon will take care of this but if you feel the need hit it with a little.

Step 3: Put the tenderloin on the blanket of awesome (bacon weave).

Step 4: Put some of the glaze directly on the tenderloin

Step 5: Wrap the bacon weave around the pork and secure it with some toothpicks.

Step 6: Take a step back and admire your work.. you can also add a little pepper to the outside of the bacon (do not do this if using peppered bacon)

Step 7: Light your grill for indirect cooking. Your grill should be running about 300 degrees. If you are using gas do not light half of the burners, if using charcoal pile all the briquettes on one side or on both sides and leave the middle open.

Step 8: Place the Pork on the grill on the unlit side, smile at it and then close the lid.

Step 9: Cook it for about 20 minutes and then flip it over using tongs. Take some of the glaze and put it on top of the pork, you can use a small spoon or a brush.

Step 9: Wait another 10 minutes and baste it again, and again after an additional 10 minutes. If the bacon doesn’t seem to be browning up move it closer to the heat, but **DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM IT** the bacon grease could make the fire flare up and burn the bacon. Also if you decide to put the pork directly on the hot side to crisp up the bacon DO NOT BASTE … you will get a major flare up and burn your bacon. Continue to let it cook and baste it periodically until the internal temp reads 145 degrees…. The USDA recommends cooking all raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures.

Step 10: Remove the meat and let it rest. If you do not let it rest it will not be as juicy as it should be. Cover with a foil tent if you are so inclined, this helps keep the heat in and will raise the internal temp slightly.

Step 11: Cut that thing up and enjoy!

*This can be done without the bacon, just use the glaze toward the end of the cooking. You can cook it on the direct heat side and then move it to the cool side to finish, the cook time is much lower and the taste is really good BUT… there is no Bacon.

Let us know what you think about today’s recipe in the comments or on our Facebook page. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest. No matter what you do this weekend take a moment to remember The Men and Women in our Armed Services that fought and fight for our freedom to celebrate it however we choose!